Two days after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies, Nick Castellanos has reportedly signed with the San Diego Padres, according to multiple reports. Because Philadelphia cut him with one year remaining on his five-year, $100 million contract, the Padres will only be responsible for the Major League veteran minimum, while the Phillies cover the remaining balance of roughly $20 million.
From a financial standpoint, the Nick Castellanos Padres move is as low-risk as it gets.
Castellanos, who turns 34 in March, hit .250 with 17 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a .694 OPS in 147 games last season. His 100 OPS+ placed him exactly at league average offensively. The bigger issue was defense. His -12 Outs Above Average ranked tied for last among 110 outfielders, a steep decline that ultimately played into reduced late-season trust from the coaching staff.
The relationship between Castellanos and the Phillies reached a boiling point in June after he was removed for defensive purposes in Miami. A dugout confrontation followed, and he was benched the next day. Castellanos later posted a handwritten note on social media explaining the situation, including that he had brought a beer into the dugout after being pulled before teammates intervened. Despite attempts to find a trade partner, Philadelphia ultimately chose to release him.
Now, he gets a reset in San Diego.
What Nick Castellanos Means for the Padres in 2026
The Nick Castellanos Padres fit is intriguing but not guaranteed.
San Diego already features an established outfield group of Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and Ramon Laureano, while Miguel Andújar and Gavin Sheets factor into the DH mix. Castellanos has reportedly spent time this offseason working at first base, which could open additional at-bats if he makes the roster.
At minimum, he provides right-handed power depth and veteran experience for a team looking to contend. At best, he becomes a value offensive contributor in a limited defensive role. Castellanos still owns a career .272/.321/.464 slash line with 250 home runs and 920 RBIs across 1,688 games. His 2023 All-Star campaign showed he still has the ability to carry stretches offensively when locked in.
For the Padres, this is a calculated gamble. If Castellanos rebounds and pushes toward a 20-homer pace in a reduced role, San Diego adds legitimate lineup depth for almost no cost. If the decline continues, they can pivot quickly without financial consequences.
